US citizens who plan on travelling to Ethiopia must have a passport valid for at least six months and have an Ethiopian visa obtained from the Embassy of Ethiopia in the USA before they embark on their trip. They can also get a visa upon arrival at the Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa, although the US government highly recommends for US citizens to get a visa before going to Ethiopia since there have been reports of inconsistencies in the issuance of visas to visitors at the Bole International Airport. This also prevents the chances of encountering problems, deportation or getting arrested. People who wish to extend their stay can apply for an extension at the Ethiopian Main Immigration Office in Addis Ababa. There is a US$20.00 monthly extension fee. If an individual stays in Ethiopia past the allowed visa duration, they may be arrested and asked to pay the extension fee at the Addis Ababa Immigration Office. They will also be asked to pay a US$300.00 court fine, and could be jailed for a certain amount of time. They might be also asked to present themselves before an immigration court, and will have to pay another US$20.00 for an exit visa before being allowed to leave Ethiopia.

Prepaid self-addressed return envelope (for applicant’s who wish to have their passport and visa returned by mail)

Important reminders:

Personal appearances for visa application can be done at the Consular Office of the Embassy of Ethiopia. Applicants can also send applications to the address below. They can also get in touch with the Embassy if they have any inquiries about travelling to Ethiopia.

Visa processing time usually takes two to three business days as long as all requirements are complete.

Validity of visa is from date of issue and not based on the arrival date in Ethiopia.

Travelers who are non-residents of Ethiopia are required to declare if they are carrying with them any foreign currency exceeding US$3000.00 (or equivalent) upon arrival. They are only allowed to carry up to US$3000.00 (or equivalent) when they are leaving Ethiopia.

A person is only allowed to carry a maximum of 200 Ethiopian Birr when going into or leaving Ethiopia.

Travelers who are on business matters or those who work for non-governmental organizations are required to obtain a residence card and work permit if they need to stay in Ethiopia for 90 days or longer. The permit must be applied for within the first 30 days of their stay in the country.

“Travelers who are non-residents of Ethiopia are required to declare
if they are carrying with them any foreign currency exceeding
US$3000.00 (or equivalent) upon arrival. They are only allowed to
carry up to US$3000.00 (or equivalent) when they are leaving
Ethiopia.” $3,000 USD is $68464.50 ETB (birr)

Then, the following is said:

“A person is only allowed to carry a maximum of 200 Ethiopian Birr when going into or leaving Ethiopia.”

??? If you can have up to $3000 USD ($68464.50 ETB (birr)), how can you have a maximum of 200 Birr? Are the rules that you noted above saying that you can bring in up to $3k in American currency (not the value of it), but you cannot arrive or leave with Ethiopia currency (greater than 200 Birr) ? It just hit me that I may have been interpreting the value of currency, instead of the form itself.

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